Spartan Newsroom (http://news.jrn.msu.edu/category/news/education/higher-education/)
On this edition of Focal Point, get a preview of VIM Magazine’s new cover. Also, volunteers create survival kits for students in need. Learn more about how an MSU study is showing how marijuana use may have some benefits. These stories and more on this episode of Focal Point.
For 18 years, East Lansing and Michigan State University have joined forces to provide to encourage its residents – permanent and temporary ones — to read. The One Book One Community committee selects a book for incoming Michigan State University freshmen and the local East Lansing community to read. “We meet once a week year-round and we discuss books, themes and programming,” said Kristin Shelley, the director of East Lansing Public Library, and on One Book One Community’s planning committee. “We are constantly reading and throwing titles out.”
This year, the committee decided to include the community in the selection process. “We narrowed it down to three books,” said Shelley.
Graduate students face a variety of key issues that can cause stress and hardship, including a sense of isolation and financial distress.
Okemos and Williamston High School students started noticing a few years ago an increase in vaping in as well as after school, which mirrors what teenagers and adults are seeing across the country.
Hoping to ease the pressure surrounding SAT testing, high schools in the Haslett, Okemos and Williamston areas have implemented preparatory programs to increase student confidence levels.
While the athletes are iconic to the MSU sports world, there’s another group fans root for at every game and they’re looking for more to join. The Spartan Marching Band and Spartan Brass are searching for their next members. The marching band plays at the football games while brass plays at the other sporting events. There are between 70 and 80 spots available with the marching band this coming year from drum line to color guard to flag core. “Even if you’re on campus as a junior or senior, I would encourage you to come out and audition,” David Thornton, marching band director, said.
After years of classes, long hours at the library and cramming for exams, it’s finally arrived… graduation. This week marks the end of the spring semester which means graduation is right around the corner. Students are preparing for the big day by buying their cap and gown as well as the colored tassel to match their college. They can also be spotted throughout the campus taking pictures in their ceremony outfit at the historic locations that Michigan State is known for.
By MAXWELL EVANS
Capital News Service
LANSING — The state shortfall in funding a tuition waiver program for Native American students has more than doubled over the past decade, leaving universities to make up the growing difference. The North American Indian Tuition Waiver Program waives tuition and fees for eligible students attending public universities, community colleges and tribal colleges. Participants must be at least one-fourth Native American, enrolled in a federally recognized tribe and have been a Michigan resident for at least a year. The program is “imperative for our students to move forward” in their careers and lives, said Kerstine Bennington, the higher education specialist for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. She would know — she’s a former program participant who used her waiver to attend Michigan State University.
On this special edition of Focal Point, we spotlight many cool things Spartans are doing around campus and beyond. Learn about the MSU professor who took his talents out of the classroom and onto a TV set. We introduce you to a group of MSU students who are making dreams come true as Disney princesses. The first annual Izzo Legacy Run/Walk leaps into action and an MSU baseball player achieves a lifelong goal. These stories and more on this edition of Focal Point.
By JASMINE HALL
Capital News Service
LANSING — International students contributed $39 billion to the U.S. economy and supported almost a half a million American jobs in the 2017-18 academic year, according to a report by the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors. Michigan accounts for $1.2 billion of those funds and 3% of the jobs. And the latest International Institute of Education’s annual Open Doors report said Michigan State University accounted for $342 million and around 5,000 jobs and the University of Michigan accounted for $350 million and around 4,800 jobs — the two largest contributors in the state. Smaller schools also contributed to the economy. Lansing Community College accounted for $2.8 million and 15 jobs, for example.
Workers at Capital Area District Libraries in Ingham County are encouraging residents to utilize the library. They want people to throw out their old views of a library and allow the library to speak for itself.